HAMWORTHY Recreation lifted the Wessex League Division One title with five games to spare following a 3-1 win over East Cowes Victoria.

A George Deem free-kick and an additional strike from Tom Cooper had given Rec a half-time lead of 2-0 at Magna Road, Alfie Matthews making it three in the second period.

East Cowes Vics’ consolation goal did little to halt Rec’s title party, who will now play in the Wessex Premier League next campaign.

In just their second season in the 10th tier Rec have gone 35 games unbeaten, dropping just six points.

Their current points tally of 99 is now insurmountable for third-placed Downton, who were 15 points behind prior to Saturday's round of fixtures.

Victory for Rec, combined with a 2-0 loss for Downton at home to Cove, gave Hamworthy Recreation their first Wessex League Division One title.

Second-placed Millbrook were already out of the running, a 14-point gap that could not be cut down enough due to Millbrook having played two games more than Recreation.

In the first campaign at step six last season Rec had finished fourth, qualifying for the end of season play-offs.

However, their season ended at the semi-final stage, losing on penalties 3-1 to New Milton after a 1-1 draw.

In conjunction with their league success, Rec also enjoyed a strong debut to the FA Vase, where they reached the fourth round after starting at the first qualifying stage.

Rec were knocked out on penalties by Jersey Bulls – only their second defeat of the season.

No side have managed to best Hamworthy Recreation over 90 minutes, with their only other loss of the campaign also on penalties, against Moneyfields in the Wessex League Cup.

They are still going strong in the Dorset Senior Cup, reaching the final where they will face Wessex Premier outfit Shaftesbury.

Whilst a date has been selected for the final, Tuesday, April 30, a venue has yet to have been decided.